Connected containers for razor cartridges

ABSTRACT

A plurality of connected individual containers for a razor cartridge. The containers each contain a single razor cartridge. A cover is removably attached to a sealing surface of each container. The sealing surface includes a first side and a second side with the first side having a first attachment extension extending beyond the sealing surface and the second side having a second attachment extension extending beyond the sealing surface. A weld secures the first attachment extension of one container to the second attachment extension of the other container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container for a razor cartridge and more particularly to a plurality of connected containers for razor cartridges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The need for protective containers for razor cartridges has long been recognized. Protective containers protect both the user from accidental injury from exposed cutting edges of the blades within the razor cartridge and protect the razor cartridges and blades themselves from nicks and other damage. In general, there are two types of protective containers: a container for holding an individual razor cartridge and a tray-type container for holding multiple razor cartridges.

The two types of containers have certain advantages and disadvantages. For example, individual containers may be simple and provide a more efficient use of packaging space when quantities of cartridges other than the tray size are used; yet they may be inconvenient both to a manufacturer and a user for storing multiple razor cartridges together. In another example, while a tray-type container is convenient for storing together multiple razor cartridges its flexibility is limited as it can only store a fixed number of razor cartridges.

Another type of container allows individual containers to be connected in a side-by-side relationship. Allowing protective casings to be connected in a side-by-side relationship provides the manufacturer with flexibility to connect together the desired number of protecting casings, e.g., two, three, four, etc. Such connections between containers are often made with an interference snap fit which does not always provide a high degree of integrity to maintain the connection.

Thus, there is a desire to overcome the problem associated with prior art protective casings by providing individual containers that are connected to one another with a connection having a high degree of integrity to maintain the connection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a plurality of connected individual containers for a razor cartridge comprising a first individual container containing a single razor cartridge and a second individual container containing a single razor cartridge. The first individual container comprises a cover removably attached to a sealing surface of the first individual container. The sealing surface comprises a first side and a second side. The first side comprises a first attachment extension extending beyond the sealing surface and the second side comprises a second attachment extension extending beyond the sealing surface. The second individual container comprises a cover removably attached to a sealing surface of the second individual container. The sealing surface comprises a first side and a second side. The first side comprises a first attachment extension extending beyond the sealing surface and the second side comprises a second attachment extension extending beyond the sealing surface. A weld secures the first attachment extension of the first individual container to the second attachment extension of the second individual container.

The weld may be a laser weld or an ultrasonic weld.

The cover preferably comprises a removable film.

-   -   The second attachment extension may comprise a notch, designed         to direct a separation break between the tubs. The sealing         surface comprises an outermost edge. The notch is preferably         positioned below the outermost edge of the sealing surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a container of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a container of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the container of FIGS. 1 and 4 with a razor cartridge contained within the container.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the container of FIG. 7 with the addition of a removable film.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a plurality of interconnected containers.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a weld.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a plurality of interconnected containers.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the containers of FIG. 11 separated from each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 there is shown a first individual container 20 of the present invention. The container 20 is sized to contain a razor cartridge, not shown in FIGS. 1-3. The container 20 preferably comprises a plastic container defining a storage region 24 and having a sealing surface 26 surrounding an entrance 28 to the storage region 24. The container 20 has a first side wall 30, a second side wall 32 opposite the first side wall 30, a first end wall 34, a second end wall 36 opposite the first end wall 34 and a bottom wall 38 extending between the first side wall 30, the second side wall 32, the first end wall 34 and the second end wall 36.

The sealing surface 26 comprises a first side 40 and a second side 42 opposite the first side 40. The first side 40 comprises a first attachment extension 41 extending outward beyond the sealing surface 26. The second side 42 comprises a second attachment extension 43 extending outward beyond the sealing surface 26.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6 there is shown a second individual container 120 of the present invention. The container 120 is sized to contain a razor cartridge, not shown in FIGS. 1-3. The second container 120 is the same as first container 20. The second container 120 preferably comprises a plastic container defining a storage region 124 and having a sealing surface 126 surrounding an entrance 128 to the storage region 124. The container 120 has a first side wall 130, a second side wall 132 opposite the first side wall 130, a first end wall 134, a second end wall 136 opposite the first end wall 134 and a bottom wall 138 extending between the first side wall 130, the second side wall 132, the first end wall 134 and the second end wall 136.

The sealing surface 126 comprises a first side 140 and a second side 142 opposite the first side 140. The first side 140 comprises a first attachment extension 141 extending outward beyond the sealing surface 126. The second side 142 comprises a second attachment extension 143 extending outward beyond the sealing surface 126.

Referring now to FIG. 7 there is shown a container 20, 120 comprising a storage region 24, 124 and having a sealing surface 26, 126 surrounding an entrance 28, 128 to the storage region 24, 124. The container 20, 120 is sized to contain a razor cartridge 50. Razor cartridge 50 comprises a bottom surface 51 and an opposing top surface (not shown). Razor cartridge 50 comprises a plurality of blades 53. Razor cartridge 50 comprises a pair of handle connecting members 54 for connecting the razor cartridge 50 to a handle. The handle connecting members 54 are positioned near an end edge of razor cartridge 50.

Referring now to FIG. 8 there is shown a plastic container 20, 120 defining a storage region 24, 124 and having a sealing surface 26, 126 surrounding an entrance 28, 128 to the storage region 24, 124. The container 20, 120 is sized to contain a razor cartridge 50. The container 20 includes a cover 60 that is sealed to the sealing surface 26, 126 and covers the entrance 28, 128 to the storage region 24, 124. Cover 60 is shown in the form of a removable film 60 that is sealed to the sealing surface 26, 126 by heat welding. Alternatively, radio frequency sealing or other techniques such as an adhesive may be employed. The removable film 60 protects the razor cartridge 50 prior to use. In addition, the removable film 60 can also assist in containing the razor cartridge 50 within the container 20, 120 prior to use.

The removable film 60 may be a single layer film or a laminate of multiple layers of film. Preferably, the removable film 60 is a laminate of PET, polyethylene, polyester-urethane and polyethylene-EVA. The polyethylene layers may be high density polyethylene, oriented high density polyethylene, and low density polyethylene.

Referring now to FIG. 9 there is shown a plurality of interconnected containers, 20 and 120. Containers 20 and 120 are shown with the removable film removed. Containers 20 and 120 are connected together such that the razor cartridges 50 are oriented the same way. This can be seen as the handle connecting members 54 are all positioned on the same side of containers 20 and 120. A weld 70 secures the first attachment extension 41 of the first individual container 20 to the second attachment extension 43 of the second individual container 120. The weld 70 may be a laser weld or an ultrasonic weld. The weld 70 shown in FIG. 9 is a continuous weld extending uninterrupted. Other welds may be used to secure the first container to the second container. Referring to FIG. 10 there is shown another suitable weld 71. Weld 71 includes spaced apart incremental welds 72. Other weld shapes and sizes may also be used.

While two containers 20 and 120 are shown in FIG. 9, any number of containers may be secured together by a weld. If the user wants to separate the containers from one another, the user can simply grasp each container in one hand and bend or pry the containers apart. Preferably, the containers will separate from one another along weld line 70.

Referring now to FIG. 11 there is shown a plurality of interconnected containers, 20 and 120. Containers 20 and 120 are shown with the removable film removed. Containers 20 and 120 contain razor cartridges 50. A weld 71 secures the first attachment extension 41 of the first individual container 20 to the second attachment extension 43 of the second individual container 120. The weld 71 may be a laser weld or an ultrasonic weld. Weld 71 includes spaced apart incremental welds 72.

The second attachment extension 43 contains a notch 75. Notch 75 creates a weakened structure allowing the two containers 20 and 120 to separate from one another at notch 75 when pried apart. Ideally the notch 75 is positioned below the outermost edge 27, 127 of sealing surface 26, 126. Positioning the notch 75 below outermost edge 27, 127 allows for a relatively clean break of material when the containers 20 and 120 are separated from one another. Preferably the notch 75 extends the length of second attachment extension. If the user wants to separate the containers from one another, the user can simply grasp each container in one hand and bend or pry the containers apart. The containers will separate from one another along the notch next to the weld as the notch is designed to direct the break in a straight line. Breaking along a straight line creates a smooth surface eliminating or reducing the potential of creating sharp edges or surfaces. Preferably, the strength of the weld is stronger than the container material such that separation occurs along the notch and not along the weld.

Referring now to FIG. 12 two containers 20 and 120 have been separated from one another along notch 75 shown in FIG. 11. As can be seen weld 71 comprising individual welds 72 still secures second attachment extension 43 to container 20. A smooth surface 75 is created 14210 7 on container 20 after the separation from container 120. A smooth surface 76 is created on container 120 after separation from container 20. Containers 20 and 120 contain razor cartridges 50.

The containers are preferably formed from plastic. The containers may be manufactured from generally translucent or transparent polymers such that consumers can view the shaving heads. Opaque plastics may even be used if transparency is not required for the containers. Examples of transparent or translucent polymers may include, but are not limited to polyolefins (e.g., polypropylene, high density polyethylene or low density polyethylene), polyesters (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), and poly vinyl chloride (PVC). The containers may be produced by thermoforming or other known processing methods such as injection molding, blow molding, cold forming, and injection blow molding.

An example is below:

-   A. A plurality of connected individual containers for a razor     cartridge comprising:     -   a first individual container containing a single razor         cartridge, said first individual container comprising a cover         removably attached to a sealing surface of the first individual         container, the sealing surface comprising a first side and a         second side, the first side comprising a first attachment         extension extending beyond the sealing surface, the second side         comprising a second attachment extension extending beyond the         sealing surface,     -   a second individual container containing a single razor         cartridge, said second individual container comprising a cover         removably attached to a sealing surface of the second individual         container, the sealing surface comprising a first side and a         second side, the first side comprising a first attachment         extension extending beyond the sealing surface, the second side         comprising a second attachment extension extending beyond the         sealing surface,     -   a weld securing the first attachment extension of the first         individual container to the second attachment extension of the         second individual container. -   B. The plurality of connected individual containers of Paragraph A     wherein said weld is a laser weld. -   C. The plurality of connected individual containers of Paragraph A     wherein said weld is an ultrasonic weld. -   D. The plurality of connected individual containers of any one of     Paragraphs A-C wherein said cover comprises a removable film. -   E. The plurality of connected individual containers of any one of     Paragraphs A-D wherein said second attachment extension contains a     notch. -   F. The plurality of connected individual containers of Paragraph E     wherein said sealing surface comprises an outermost edge. -   G. The plurality of connected individual containers of Paragraph F     wherein said notch is positioned below the outermost edge of said     sealing surface.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm ”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. 

1. A plurality of connected individual containers for a razor cartridge comprising: a first individual container containing a single razor cartridge, said first individual container comprising a cover removably attached to a sealing surface of the first individual container, the sealing surface comprising a first side and a second side, the first side comprising a first attachment extension extending beyond the sealing surface, the second side comprising a second attachment extension extending beyond the sealing surface, said second attachment extension contains a notch, said sealing surface comprises an outermost edge, said notch being positioned below the outmost edge of the sealing surface, a second individual container containing a single razor cartridge, said second individual container comprising a cover removably attached to a sealing surface of the second individual container, the sealing surface comprising a first side and a second side, the first side comprising a first attachment extension extending beyond the sealing surface, the second side comprising a second attachment extension extending beyond the sealing surface, said second attachment extension contains a notch, said sealing surface comprises an outermost edge, said notch being positioned below the outmost edge of the sealing surface, a weld securing the first attachment extension of the first individual container to the second attachment extension of the second individual container.
 2. The plurality of connected individual containers of claim 1 wherein said weld is a laser weld.
 3. The plurality of connected individual containers of claim 1 wherein said weld is an ultrasonic weld.
 4. The plurality of connected individual containers of claim 1 wherein said cover comprises a removable film.
 5. (canceled)
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled) 